Refinement of primary and eutectic selicon particles in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys using an applied electric potential

A. Plotkowski, P. N. Anyalebechi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of applied electric current on the cast microstructure of hypoeutectic Al-13 wt.% Si and Al-20 wt.% Si alloys have been investigated. This involved, with a constant voltage power supply, an application of an electric current density of about 500 mA/cm2 of melt surface area to laboratory-size ingots during solidification in a metal mold. In general, the applied electric current refined the cast microstructure of the hypereutectic Al-Si alloys. Specifically, the electric current did not modify the eutectic silicon particle, but changed the size distribution of the primary silicon particles by increasing the population of comparatively smaller size particles. The extent of the observed cast microstructure refinement was less than the reported effects of applied electric current in the technical literature and is significantly less than the effects of the traditional refinement obtained by addition of strontium and phosphorus to the molten metal prior to casting.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Symposium on Liquid Metal Processing and Casting 2013, LMPC 2013
EditorsMatthew J.M. Krane, Joseph J. Beaman, Alain Jardy, Rodney L. Williamson, Joseph J. Beaman, Rodney L. Williamson
PublisherJohn Wiley and Sons Inc.
Pages219-227
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781510814400
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
Event10th International Symposium on Liquid Metal Processing and Casting, LMPC 2013 - Austin, United States
Duration: Sep 22 2013Sep 25 2013

Publication series

NameInternational Symposium on Liquid Metal Processing and Casting 2013, LMPC 2013

Conference

Conference10th International Symposium on Liquid Metal Processing and Casting, LMPC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period09/22/1309/25/13

Keywords

  • Al-Si alloys
  • Cast microstructure
  • Electric current
  • Solidification

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